The word of God is the foundation in our life. The bible is not simply words about God.
Bible has one hero: Jesus
Bible has one villain: Devil
Bible has one Theme: Salvation
Bible has one purpose: the gory of god
The greatest gift of God to man, next to His Son and His Spirit, is the HOLY SCRIPTURES. Dr.Oswald J.Smith observed, Our attitude towards the Scriptures settles everything. All that we see today are temporal, but with one exception—the Bible! Heaven and earth shall pass away but God’s Word shall remain forever (Mk 13:31).
Without the Bible we have no light or direction in this world of darkness and chaos (Psa 119:105; 2 Pet 1 :19). Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going? These are questions puzzling even the best of minds
The word of God is Perfect
The word of God is Powerful
The word of God is Pure
The word of God is Preserve
The word of God is Permanent ( which means unchangeable/unfailing/unmovable
We need to be transformed with this word
It should be our Instruction
It should be our meditation
It should be our motivation
God’s word will inform us
God’s word will Warn us
God’s word will Devote us
Inspire us transforms us, it will change us from inside to outside. Know his word and you will know his plans
I would like to read passage for this morning for a short meditation. Lets turn our bibles to book of Mathew chapter 9 :35-39. Shall we pray
Let me begin my sermon with an illustration which happened in recent history. After the First World War which happened in 1914, the world thought that it wouldn’t happen to face another world war, even though they had formed all the peace keeping organizations. But within the 25 years after the First World War, the Second World War also broke out. The Second World War has bought lots of damage to the society. A man named Bob Pears from US has been send to South Korea as a part of his mission work. What he has seen in the South Korean soil was heart breaking things. Lots of atrocities have taken place. Lots of mothers they have lost their beloved children’s. Brothers they have lost their beloved sisters. Everywhere burnt bodies and collapsed buildings. The poor missionary couldn’t contain all these things and he knelt down in the South Korean soil and made a prayer some thing like this: “Lord let my heart be broken with the things that break your heart”
After few years he went back to US and started a very well known organization which is called the World Vision. And if you see the pamphlet of the World Vision, there you find a word called Compassion. And today my topic is also “Christ’s Compassion for the Word”
From this passage I want to bring out three aspects of Christ.
A. What Christ Sees?
B. What Christ Feels?
C. What Christ has to say?
Webster defines the word "Compassion" as; Pity or Sympathy. From the Greek "Compassion" is defined as "Inward Affection, Pity or Sympathy, yearning.
What compassion means to us today literally is "Suffering With Another!"
compassion was a significant part of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus during His ministry on earth, had compassion on many occasions.
You see, we live in a compassion-less world. Most people place themselves and their family above any other consideration in the world. The sad reality is that most people simply do not care what happens to others! They do not possess compassion. In fact, I would venture to say that most people don’t even know what it means to have compassion!
The word compassion, as it is used in the Bible means, “To be moved inwardly; to yearn with tender mercy, affection, pity and empathy.” It refers to the deepest possible feelings. The phrase, “moved with compassion” means to be moved in the “inner organs”. It has the same idea as our modern expression, “From the bottom of my heart.” Someone has defined compassion as “Sympathy coupled with a desire to help.” Sympathy means “The capacity to share feelings, to enter into the same feelings, to feel the same thing”. So, compassion is “sharing the feelings of others and possessing a desire to help them in their trouble.”
When we read the Gospels, they tell us of Jesus and His great compassion for mankind. We see that our Savior was moved deeply in His inner being by the needs of those around Him. In this message, I would like to address this matter of compassion. I want to preach about The Compassionate Christ. I want to talk about what motivated Jesus to be compassionate and how we can become more compassionate ourselves. Let’s look at The Compassionate Christ this evening and learn His secrets for caring about the needs of others.
We live in a world without any compassion, nobody cares for anybody, man is so selfish and compassionless
I. What Christ Sees -He saw Worlds Spiritual & Physical Needs
He saw the World Spiritual needs and physical needs
Verse 35 says , he went about all the villages, teaching in their synagogues and teaching about the kingdom and healed every deasease and illness
He understood the worlds spiritual needs
The plight man of today is running after peace. They are wandering here and there to receive the peace. They looks for peace of mind. Jesus understood the worlds needs and teaching them about the kingdom of God. He also was involved in healing business.
People everywhere search for peace. Many wealthy, famous, and powerful people would trade everything for just one moment of peace. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)
The world’s peace is fleeting and changes with circumstances
The world’s peace is built on the weak foundation of compromise
The world’s peace ignores the root of the problem
God’s peace is permanent and secure.
God’s peace is built on the sure foundation of his Word.
To seek peace is to seek Jesus. True peace can only be found in Jesus. In fact, scripture refers to Jesus as “the Prince of Peace”. Christians are to be peacemakers
II. What Christ Feels- He Felt Compassion
1. WE MUST BE INSIGHTFUL IN OUR LIVING
we cannot ignore a hurting world
THE INJURED TRAVELERS OF OUR DAY
we are surrounded in our culture by wounded travelers
everywhere you look, people are plagued with hardship, despair and discouragement
some are struck with injuries or illnesses that debilitate them and cause physical pain
some are dealing with the stigma and scars of emotional pain from a divorce, sexual abuse, or abortion
some are living in the darkness of addiction and the inability to cope with certain temptations
some live in spiritual confusion
the mission of the church—and that translates into the mission of believers—is to reach out with hope to a hurting world with infinite love and compassion our Lord understood the human predicament
Jesus had deep empathy for people;
1. he saw their needs
2. he saw their weaknesses
3. he saw their desires
4. and he saw their hurts
Jesus was concerned about people
1. every miracle he performed, He did so because he saw a need in some person’s life
2. His concern was always to uplift and never to tear down, to heal and never hurt
2. this is what the church today needs to emulate and model
2. WE MUST BE INCOMPARABLE IN OUR COMPASSION
1. we must develop a heart of compassion
2. Christianity demands a level of caring that transcends human inclinations
3. let us not underestimate how hard it is to be compassionate
compassion is hard because it requires us to go with others to the place where they are weak, and vulnerable, and lonely, and broken—the places we don’t want to be
1. Jesus Christ sets the model for active compassion for us to follow
? “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36, NIV84)
1. this must be our attitude as we look upon a society of helpless and hurting people
THE CHURCH MUST BE A BODY OF COMPASSIONATE PEOPLE
1. practical love is love that goes into the world and finds people where people are in life
1. practical love goes the extra mile with no hesitation
2. practical love goes into the world where the rubber meets the road
2. practical love can take many forms and appear in many different ways
1. practical love is seen in the soup kitchen as food is given to the hungry
2. practical love is shown when we enter the hospital room of the sick
3. practical love is revealed when we weep with those who have just lost a loved one
4. practical love is shown when we sit in mud with a friend who is stuck
3.WE MUST BE INTENSIVE IN OUR CARING
Jesus gaves a perfect example in the story of Good Samaritan Luke 10:30
THE SAMARITAN’S ACTIONS ILLUSTRATE THE MINISTRY OF KINGDOMS CITIZENS
1. The Samaritan Showed Sympathy
1. the Samaritan reached out to this man when no one else would do so
. he went out of his way to help a total stranger
2. The Samaritan Showed Support
1. the Samaritan could have done just enough to get the man help
2. but we see the Samaritan going the extra mile for this complete stranger
3. he bandaged the traveler’s wounds and used oil and wine from his own goods, to clean and sooth the man’s cuts and abrasions
3. The Samaritan Showed Sacrifice
1. the Samaritan places the traveler on his own donkey and takes him to an inn where he provides for the man’s care
2. he pays for complete room and board for an indefinite period of time and promises to pick up an additional expenses on his way back through
4. if you’re going to develop a heart of compassion, you too will have to show sympathy, be supportive, and sometimes even sacrificial in your time and resources
CHRIST CALLS US TO CULTIVATE COMPASSION FOR A DYING WORLD
1. the dictionary meaning of compassion is a "feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by suffering or misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the pain or remove its cause"
1. compassion was a significant part of Jesus’ ministry
2. it must be a significant part of our
2. bottom line, it requires time and effort and resources to be a true Kingdom Citizen because true Kingdom Citizens are people of compassion
An anonymous author once penned these words:
o I was hungry and you formed a humanities club and discussed my hunger.
o I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your chapel and prayed for my release.
o I was naked and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.
o I was sick and you knelt and thanked God for your health.
o I was homeless and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God.
o I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me.
o You seem so close to God; but I am still very hungry, and lonely, and cold.
He had Compassion To the Sick
Jesus loves sick people! He also loves those who are well, but He was moved with that "inward Affection" toward sick people. During Jesus ministry on earth Jesus often was confronted with sick people. He healed them all.
He made the lame to walk, deaf to hear, mute to speak, raised the dead. Everything he did for the glory of God
He had Compassion For The Hungry
Hunger is a serious problem, and hunger can take a person to any depravity. Don't give our polished moral lessons to the hungry. Who does not know that the biggest fire is the fire in the stomach.
A book by Newt Hamson on the hungry title is a must read, the basics requirements of shelter and clothes can be somehow manage it, but what about food?
The Dalai Lama's autobiography has some pages that will make anyone's eyes wet. the story place is Tibet, in the midnight the old mother in the house heard the footstep sounds and some and walked outside to see check is there someone out there. she fonud there was a man and women outside with a dead baby in the forearms. The old mother in the house thought that they going to find a place to bury the dead baby. the old mother said let us wait for sunlight to come in, and then we will a cut off the ice and bury the baby. Suddenly, the woman began to cry. she said , we dont want to burry the child, On the contrary, hunger and cold are getting worse, we wanted to hide elsewhere and eat this babay. Lama concludes the story by saying this:- Poverty is a violent wind that can devastate the roots of any of your moral trees
We can dishonor the world with food,
I remember reading about Napoleon, who was only discussing diplomacy at the edge of a resourceful table. Yes, food has become an indicator of luxury. Wearing a new face of luxury
Compassion For The Blind
In Matthew 20:29-34; And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
Jesus had compassion for the blind. Many blind people received their sight at His touch. But there is another thought here I would like to pass on to you. Many are blind among us, not in the physical sense, but spiritually blind. Jesus can touch both, the physical and the spiritual. Jesus has compassion on you if you are blind my friend, and He will open your eyes to His person if you will come with a penitent heart and receive his gift of eternal life.
Compassion On The Unclean
Mark 1:40-42; And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
Compassion For The Sorrowful
Luke 7:13-14; And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
If you have ever had a loved one die, you know something of the plight of this widow woman. Her son had died, and when the Lord Jesus saw her, he had compassion on her. He didn’t have compassion on the dead lad, but his mother. He knew her sorrow, He knew her tears, and His compassion caused Him to raise the woman’s son from the dead.
Jesus know and has compassion on you too, when you have great sorrow. Trust in His great love and have faith in Him during your sorrow.
He has compassion toward you and me too! In Matthew 11:28-30; Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
III. What Christ has to say?- Harvest is Plentiful
Harvest is plentiful, but no workers
Jesus command is three-fold, We must see the harvest We must pray for laborers We must go to those that are scattered and lost
The harvest is plentiful.
In Jesus' day the population of the world was approximately 150 million people. Today's world population grows 150 million every two years
The harvest is precious.
Jesus' heart grieves over every soul. God grieves because those who die without Christ never know how much he loves them
# The harvest is perplexed.
Jesus described the crowd as being "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matt. 9:36 NIV). Harassed meant that they were defeated by life
They are down for the final count. Ready to quit. Helpless meant they were broken and without purpose. They were wandering aimlessly. People without hope, without meaning, without a reason for living. Like sheep without a shepherd meant they would follow any fad or guru or new idea or way even to their destruction. Sheep are dumb animals. They simply put their heads down and follow the sheep in front of them. If a guide or leader does not exist they will simply wander and wander and wander until they destroy themselves.
# The harvest is perishing.
On another occasion Jesus said to his followers, "Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest" (John 4:35
I do understand that ripened wheat takes on a golden hue when ready for harvest. However, if reaping is delayed, the grain begins to turn a pale white, and will soon fall over on the ground.
There is always a sense of urgency to bringing in the harvest.
Of the 8 billion people in the world, it is estimated that over thirty million people worldwide will die without Christ every year
As followers of Jesus Christ, we have much work to do and little time to do it. We must give ourselves to it. The times demand urgent action. Remember, the gospel is only good news if it arrives in time.
# The harvest is priority.
Feel what Jesus feels. He is overwhelmed by his love for people as he sees the vastness of the crowds, the perplexity of their problems, and the sense of urgency in reaching them. Then Jesus says, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matt. 9:37-38 NIV)
Herein lies one of the great truths of the Christian faith: The harvest will never be reaped unless there are reapers to reap it. Jesus Christ needs men and women to bring in the harvest. Jesus' followers today need to see people as Jesus saw them - as plentiful, precious, perplexed and perishing.
What can we do?
# We can take responsibility for our field.
Think of all the people we contact everyday: family, friends, neighbors, work associates, the woman at the cleaners, the guy at the car wash, our tennis buddies, and our sewing club. That is our field. We are responsible for them. We will never have a sense of urgency and priority until we realize that we are responsible for them.
#We can pray.
When we begin to see people as Jesus saw them then we will pray for the harvest. We will pray for the salvation of the lost, for the church to be trainers of reapers, and for men and women to go into the harvest. We will pray for workers, laborers, servers, and givers. But we must do more than pray.
We can go. When we see people as Jesus saw them we will go into the harvest. We can't bring in the harvest without first going into the harvest. Our job is not to save the harvest - that's God's work. Our job is to tell people about the Lord of the harvest. The gospel begins with go. Without going there is no knowing. If we don't go, who will?
#We can share our story.
The great sin of the church is the sin of silence. People often say, "I'll let my life be my witness." (By the way, if you are saying that, how's that going? How many people have come to Christ because they watched your life?) We have taken the Great Commission and made it into the great omission. A subtle false teaching says we can be evangelical without being evangelistic. It has us believe that we go to church rather than we go into the world.
But, you say, there are so many people. The harvest is so vast. The needs are so overwhelming. What can I do?
I am reminded of the old man, walking the beach at dawn, who noticed a young man ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Catching up with the youth, he asked what he was doing. The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun.
"But the beach goes on for miles, and there are millions of starfish," countered the old man. "How can your effort make a difference?"
The young man looked at the starfish in his hand and then threw it to safety in the waves. "It makes a difference to this one," he said.
I hope that your heart will be stirred to make a difference in the harvest. You see, when we begin to see people as Jesus saw people it makes all the difference in the world. When we see people as Jesus saw people it will cause us to take responsibility, to pray, to go, and to tell about Jesus.
Oscar Schindler said, "I could have done more." Can we do more when it comes to bringing in the harvest of souls?
Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour this day? If today were your last on earth, and today you died, do you know that you would go to heaven to live forever with the Lord Jesus Christ? If you can not answer that question with a definite, yes! Then bow to the Son of God. Confess to Him that you know He died for your sins, and that He arose again for your salvation. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Do it right now.
